Superfruits For Your Heart

It doesn’t take much to maintain your heart. A good diet, some workout and low stress. For someone with a monotonous job like the heart’s – I mean imagine being locked in a padded cell and playing a drum all your life – it’s not asking for much.

While stress level and your workout are subjective, there is little support we can give it in terms of diet. Maybe a portion of fruit. Or a Superfruit. What’s a Superfruit? A fruit that outperforms all other fruits in terms of nutrients it provides and organs it takes care of. Like the ones mentioned below.

1. Papaya

Rich source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A which are powerful antioxidants. These nutrients prevent the cholesterol from getting oxidized, thereby preventing cholesterol from building up and sticking to walls of the blood vessels (called plaque). As a side job, it also helps prevent colon cancer. No wonder it’s a superfruit!

2. Oranges

This king of citrus fruits is also a great source of vitamins and antioxidants which help reduce the bad cholesterol. The soluble fiber pectin in oranges acts like a giant sponge, sopping up cholesterol in food and blocking its absorption. And the potassium in it helps counterbalance salt, which keeps the blood pressure in check.

6. Grapes

7. Pomegranates

Pomegranate juice not only blocks creation of plaque, but is also known to reverse the build-up when had continuously for a year. How it does that? By activating an enzyme that breaks down oxidized cholesterol.

8. Tomatoes

In many quarters they are considered as fruit. Tomato is packed with lycopene, high in Vitamin C, potassium, niacin, vitamin B6 and fibre; low on calories. All of this makes it a Superfruit, good for the heart.

9. Avocados

The fats in avocados help absorb carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene which are essential for a healthy heart. Plus it’s packed with monounsaturated fat and fatty acids which lower LDL and raise the good cholesterol in the body.

10. Watermelon

Another Superfruit rich in vitamin C, lycopene and vitamin A. And by now you know what good those three do for the heart. Besides, a portion of watermelon packs in more lycopene than an equal portion of tomato. That’s saying something.

So if you’re a non-fruitarian, i.e., someone who can't stand fruits, then it’s time you pick one of these, for the sake of your heart. And it doesn’t have to be an apple a day. Nature has given us a whole lot to choose from. Whatever your taste - tangy, sweet, pulpy - there is definitely a fruit for the sore heart.